The Water Vole has become one of Britain's
rarest mammals. Its population has declined dramatically from
about 8 million in 1960 to about 220,000 in 2004. The main cause
has been the farming and subsequent escape of American Mink which
is a major predator of the Water Vole, combined with poor
management of waterways in some areas.

It looks a bit like a rat but has a rounder
nose, short ears and a furry tail. They build their burrows in
the banks of slow-moving rivers and feed on grasses and
plants.